My grandfather made fancy soda. Only we called it “pop”, cause we were in Canada. I used to say “soda” as a joke, until I realized I was saying it seriously after almost 6 years in the US. He worked at a bottling plant in Saskatoon, where we spent our summers when I was younger. I’m not sure what the policy was (bring home a 6-pack every week?), but this guy had a room in the basement full of the stuff. Lime, orange, black cherry, all those original flavours, and all in those classic clear bottles. They were the best. Since my jaw surgeries, I’ve been on antibiotics more often that not. I’ve been avoiding drinking to make sure the meds are doing their job, so I rediscovered fancy soda pop (I’m so confused about what to call it it’s earned full name status). Brands like Stewarts, and Henry Weinharts, this stuff is top drawer. If you’ve been neglecting your inner child, do it. Forget diet this or hydration that, enjoy a cold, quality, old fashioned pop. I had forgotten.

I need more information:

Did the GOP just name a black guy as the head of their party? Isn’t the party’s foundation built on avoiding black people? Where did they even find one within their party? Just cause he’s black, doesn’t mean he’s Obama fellaaa’sss…

Is it okay to like drinking tea and listening to hip hop? Can I like crushing beer at the bar and reading at home? Do I have to disclose to people teaching me about mortgages that I still have stuffed animals? I need a transition team.

In an effort to better get it’s message out to followers, the Vatican has purchased a YouTube channel. They called it PopeTube. PopeTube?? The jokes for this range from potty to pious. Insert your preference here.

What’s Jack Cafferty’s deal on CNN? Does he have an actual program? Or does he just chime in with Blitzer once in awhile to read emails? He seems like the biggest nice/creepy cross since the Adams family.

A few thoughts on Kyle Okposo of the New York Islanders. I played against him in college, and then on his team for a few months in Bridgeport last year (even on his line on occasion, thank God we’re on different teams, I was tired of lugging him around out there). He has to be one of the nicest teammates I can remember, so young it was painful. You forget when you see young guys excel how young they really are. You always assume they’re doing so well because they matured early or something. Every morning when you go to the rink, out of your 22 or so teammates there’s always a couple who look hurtin’, whether from drinking the night before, injuries, whatever. When Opo came in looking rough, it was because he had stayed up super-late playing Halo for Xbox. We were talking about a lottery sign, and he said something along the lines of “Man, it’d be so sick to have that much money! You know what I’d do with that?” And all I could think is, wow, you have no idea how rich you’re about to be huh? That innocent perspective is a 180 from the large majority of kids who’re obviously destined for the NHL. That 10 million dollar lottery pales in comparison to what Kyle’s career earnings will be. I saw he scored twice last night, and couldn’t have been happier. Despite his penchant for verbal viciousness on the ice (as my college roommate can attest), he is a great kid and an all around nice guy who deserves his success. I wish him the best.

Random sidebar: If I ever get a cat when I’m older (Bri and I want a kitten and puppy at the same time. What a waste of money, I know, I know) I want a “Scottish Fold” cat. Check out how stupid cute the kittens are.

Then again, any cat is better than Mojo, right Uncle?

The Tylers, who live kitty-corner to my apartment, have a stupid cute fully grown bulldog named Frodo. Bri and I think we’d like something a little more active, but man, it’s tempting. Check out one of these puppies. Stop it, dog, just stop it. I would clean your wrinkles to have you.

Maybe I should pick an apartment before a pet, I dunno. Anyways, rookie party in Idaho tonight, look out Boise! For those of you who don’t know what a rookie party entails, it might be a good night to get out to the bars and have a look at some of our youngest guys dressed like its… um, a stagette, really. Unfortunately, I won’t be out, but I have a feeling the young guys might have a drink anyways. Enjoy!

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About Justin Bourne

I'm a hockey player turned writer. After playing for Alaska Anchorage in the WCHA (NCAA), I carried on with an NHL tryout (New York Islanders in 2007) before spending a couple seasons in the AHL/ECHL (last year was 2008-09). My father, Bob Bourne, won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders in the '80's, as did my fiancee's dad, Clark Gillies. I'm now the web editor for theScore's hockey blog "Backhand Shelf."

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If you have a great suggestion, question, idea, or just some awesome pictures that would suit the flavour of Bourne's Blog, send them to me at JTBOURNE@GMAIL.COM and I'll happily try to work 'em in. In general, I prefer all other remarks to be left in the comments section so we can participate in the conversation together.

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My Oscar Speech

To my Mom, Dad, Glenn, brother Jeff and my fiance Brianna... thank you, I love you guys. Also, Uncle Ken, you've been an immeasurable help in this and I'm infinitely grateful. All my love to Aunt Kathy and Grandma, two of my favourite people in the world. Also to the extended family in Saskatchewan, I miss you guys. Thanks to friends like Neil Corbett and Dave Cunning for your support in an obscure endevour like this, and to friends like Charlie Kronschnabel and Nick Lowe for being guys who'll like me and not care (or possibly ask) why or what weird project I'm scheming on now. And thanks to all you long-lost-but-still-important friends I didn't mention. You know who you are.